‘Nagas will not merge with India’

Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, Nov 22: The Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015 says that the Nagas and India will coexist as two entities, but the Nagas will not merge with India.
In a statement issued today, Rh Raising, one of the top NSCN (IM) leaders and a 'member of collective leadership' said, "There will be a joint defence in the event of invasion on Nagalim by any external forces. The Nagas will be using the Indian passport with Naga Nationality/Indian for a certain period of time. There will be a joint venture in the case of drilling oil in Nagalim. But Nagas will exercise their sovereign power in matters of their own affairs."
He also said that the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, recognizes the unique history of Naga independence; the sovereignty of the Nagas, the identity of the Nagas, the territory of the Nagas, and the integration of all Naga areas.
In the past, according to Raising, the Indians and the Nagas took diametrically opposite stands so that the parallel lines saw no meeting point.
But the Framework Agreement is one of the options where India and Nagas can meet, he said.
It will guarantee the future of the Nagas and strengthen the security of India. The Framework Agreement is the kind of solution the two parties have been looking for, he also said.  
It will be a great mistake on the part of the Indian and Naga leaders who interpret the Framework Agreement from Indian Constitutional perspective. The problem is political which calls for a political solution. It is never a Constitutional problem of India," he added.
Flag and Constitution are the composite materials of sovereignty. Sovereignty without Flag and Constitution is a form without content, he said.
"Our Chief negotiator Mr Th Muivah said a solution without a Flag and Constitution would be unacceptable to the Naga people. Solution without the Naga Flag and Constitution would be a repetition of the past mistakes," Raising stated.
The NSCN (IM) leader also said enemies in the form of Naga traitors tried to finish the NSCN, but "we survived by His grace".
Enemies of all hues have started forming coalition forces to give a final blow to the NSCN, but "we will stay the course in the name of the Lord, God of the Nagas," the NSCN (IM) leader asserted.
"We cannot run away from our country, from our people and from our God. We do not fear any power because the mighty name of the Lord is with us", Raising added.